Support apparatus for use with an elongate structure

ABSTRACT

Embodiments of the innovation relate to a support apparatus for use with an elongate structure, such as a chimney. In one arrangement, the support apparatus includes a base configured to extend along both sides of a pitched roof surface, a set of vertical supports secured to the base and configured to be secured to the chimney, and a set of platforms connected to the set of vertical supports and configured to at least partially extend about the perimeter of the chimney. Each platform of the set of platforms is connected to a corresponding adjacent platform of the set of platforms.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application claims the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 62/045,376, filed on Sep. 3, 2014, entitled, “SupportApparatus for Use With an Elongate Structure,” the contents andteachings of which are hereby incorporated by reference in theirentirety.

BACKGROUND

Construction workers can be required to access building structures, suchas chimney structures, located in difficult-to-access locations, such aspitched roofs. In order to safely access these building structures forconstruction or repair, the workers typically utilize a variety of typesof support systems to support themselves on the pitched roof surface.

For example, in order to access a house chimney for repair, a worker canutilize a conventional pipe staging or scaffolding system that includestube-based scaffolding that extends around the outer perimeter of achimney. Typically, the base of the scaffolding is secured to the houseroof using fasteners, such as nails. The scaffolding carries a set ofplanks that also extend about the outer perimeter of the chimney. Theplanks allow the worker to walk about the chimney on a horizontalsurface to access and repair all portions of the chimney.

SUMMARY

Conventional staging systems suffer from a variety of deficiencies. Forexample, while the conventional pipe staging system provides theconstruction worker with a walking surface surrounding the chimney, thebase of staging system is directly secured to the roof using nails orother fasteners. These fasteners can damage the structural integrity ofthe roof which can lead to water or other fluids to leaking into thehouse once the staging system has been removed. Further, the fastenersprovide a relatively minimal level of support for the staging. Incertain cases, with such a minimal level of fixation to the roof, thestaging can shift or sway as the workers walk along the scaffoldingplanks. This can lead to the worker feeling relatively unsafe during achimney repair.

By contrast to conventional roof support systems, embodiments of thepresent innovation relate to a support apparatus for use with anelongate structure, such as a chimney. In one arrangement, the supportapparatus includes a base configured to extend along both sides of apitched roof surface, a set of vertical supports secured to the base andconfigured to be secured to the chimney, and a set of platformsconnected to the set of vertical supports and configured to at leastpartially extend about the perimeter of the chimney. With thisarrangement, because the base extends substantially along the length ofboth sides of the roof surface, the base is configured to distribute theweight of the support apparatus and the workers along a relatively largesurface area of the pitched roof surfaces. Accordingly, the baseeffectively secures the base to the pitched roof surface without relyingon external fasteners, thereby minimizing damage to the roof.Additionally, with the vertical supports secured between the base andthe platforms, and with the platforms secured to each other, the supportapparatus provides a substantially stable, horizontal walking surfacefor the construction workers during chimney construction or repair. Thisconfiguration minimizes the risk of injury to the worker and allows theworker to safely handle their tools during the construction or repair,thereby minimizing the risk of damage to the structure or injury toworkers on the ground as caused by dropped tools.

In one arrangement, a support apparatus comprises a first base portionhaving a first base portion element configured to be disposed on a firstroof portion and a second base portion element configured to be disposedon a second roof portion and a second base portion having a first baseportion element configured to be disposed on the first roof portion anda second base portion element configured to be disposed on the secondroof portion. The support apparatus comprises a first set of verticalsupports connected to the first base portion and a second set ofvertical supports connected to the second base portion, each of thefirst set of vertical supports and the second set of vertical supportsextending along a direction that is substantially parallel to anelongate structure. The support apparatus comprises a set of platformsconnected to the first set of vertical supports and to the second set ofvertical supports, the set of platforms configured to at least partiallysurround the elongate structure. Each platform of the set of platformsconnected to a corresponding, adjacent platform of the set of platforms.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages will beapparent from the following description of particular embodiments of theinnovation, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which likereference characters refer to the same parts throughout the differentviews. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead beingplaced upon illustrating the principles of various embodiments of theinnovation.

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a support apparatus, accordingto one arrangement.

FIG. 2A illustrates a first perspective view of the support apparatus ofFIG. 1 mounted to an elongate structure, according to one arrangement.

FIG. 2B illustrates a second perspective view of the support apparatusof FIG. 1 mounted to an elongate structure, according to onearrangement.

FIG. 3 illustrates a ridge spanning device of the support apparatus ofFIG. 1, according to one arrangement.

FIG. 4 illustrates an interlocking foot element of FIG. 1, according toone arrangement.

FIG. 5A illustrates a cross beam of the support apparatus of FIG. 1,according to one arrangement.

FIG. 5B illustrates an end of the cross beam of FIG. 5A, according toone arrangement.

FIG. 6A illustrates a placement tool of the support apparatus of FIG. 1,according to one arrangement.

FIG. 6B illustrates a clamp member of the placement tool of FIG. 6A,according to one arrangement.

FIG. 7 illustrates the use of the placement tool of FIG. 6A with thecross beams of FIG. 5A, according to one arrangement.

FIG. 8A illustrates a locking mechanism configured to secure adjacentsupport platforms to each other, according to one arrangement.

FIG. 8B illustrates securing of a support platform of the supportapparatus of FIG. 1 to a cross beam, according to one arrangement.

FIG. 9A illustrates a side view of the locking mechanism associated withthe support platforms of the support apparatus of FIG. 8 as disposed inan unlocked position, according to one arrangement.

FIG. 9B illustrates a top view of receptacle elements of the lockingmechanism as defined by the filler platform, according to onearrangement.

FIG. 9C illustrates a side view of the locking mechanism associated withthe support platforms of the support apparatus of FIG. 8 as disposed ina locked position, according to one arrangement.

FIG. 10 illustrates a stand-off for a ladder, according to onearrangement.

FIG. 11 illustrates a view of a support apparatus configured for usewith a non-centered chimney.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present innovation relate to a support apparatus foruse with an elongate structure, such as a chimney. In one arrangement,the support apparatus includes a base configured to extend along bothsides of a pitched roof surface, a set of vertical supports secured tothe base and configured to be secured to the chimney, and a set ofplatforms connected to the set of vertical supports, as well as to eachother, and configured to at least partially extend about the perimeterof the chimney.

FIGS. 1, 2A, and 2B illustrate a perspective view of a support apparatus10, according to one arrangement. The support apparatus 10 is configuredto provide a secure, substantially horizontal working surface for aconstruction worker during the construction or repair of an elongatestructure, such as a chimney 17. In the arrangement illustrated, thesupport apparatus 10 includes a base 12, a set of vertical supports 14connected to the base 12, and a set of support platforms 16 connected tothe vertical supports 14. While these components of the supportapparatus 10 can be manufactured from a variety of materials, in onearrangement, the base 12, a vertical supports, and support platforms 16are manufactured from an aluminum material or other sturdy lightweightmaterial.

The base 12 is configured to distribute the weight of the supportapparatus 10 along a relatively large area in order to provide thesupport apparatus 10 with a relatively high level of stability. Forexample, the base 12 can include a first base portion 18 disposed inproximity to a first side portion of a chimney 17 and a second baseportion 20 disposed in proximity to a second side portion of a chimney17.

Each of the first and second base portions 18, 20 can include baseportion elements that extend along a length relative to the chimney 17,such as along the length of a roof 15. For example, with additionalreference to FIGS. 2A and 2B, the first base portion 18 includes a firstbase portion element 22 disposed on a first roof portion 30 and a secondbase portion element 24 disposed on a second, opposing roof portion 32.Additionally, the second base portion 20 includes a first base portionelement 26 disposed on the first roof portion 30 and a second baseportion element 28 disposed on the second roof portion 32. The baseportion elements 22, 24, 26, 28 are configured to rest on the respectiveroof portions 30, 32 at a corresponding roof pitch. For example, thefirst base portion elements 22, 26 are disposed on the first roofportion 30 at an angle 34 (FIG. 1) which corresponds to the roof pitchangle 38 of the first roof portion 30 (FIG. 2A) and the second baseportion elements 24, 28 are disposed on the second roof portion 32 at anangle 36 (FIG. 1) which corresponds to the roof pitch angle 40 (FIG. 2A)of the second roof portion 32.

With the base 12 having first and second base portion elements 22, 24,26, 28 disposed on either side of pitched roof 15, the base portionelements 22, 24, 26, 28 are configured to distribute the weight of thesupport apparatus 10 along the surface area of the roof 15. The base 12,therefore is configured to balance any loads applied to the roof 15 viathe support apparatus 10, including the weight of the support apparatus10 itself and the shifting weight of any workers utilizing the supportapparatus 10. Accordingly, the configuration of the base 12 allows theweight of the support apparatus 10 to secure the support apparatus 10 tothe roof 15 without requiring additional fixation components. Forexample, with the configuration of the base 12, an operator is notrequired to mechanically affix the support apparatus 10 to a roof in adestructive manner, such as by using nails or screws.

The first and second base portion elements 22, 24, 26, 28 can beconfigured in a variety of ways. For example, each of the first andsecond base portion elements 22, 24, 26, 28 can be configured as aladder of other grid-like structure having a series of rungs. In use,such a configuration allows a worker to scale the roof 15 to access theplatforms 16 surrounding the chimney 17.

In one arrangement, with particular reference to the second base portion20 in FIGS. 1, 2A and 2B for clarity, the first and second base portionelements 26, 28 are connected together to enhance the structuralintegrity of the support apparatus 10. While the first and second baseportion elements 26, 28 can be connected together in a variety of ways,in one arrangement, the base portion elements 26, 28 are joined togetherby a ridge spanning device 42.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the ridge spanning device 42 includes a firstplatform 44, a second platform 46, and a connecting element 48, such asa pair of hinged connecting elements 48-1, 48-2, which connects thefirst and second platforms 44, 46. Each platform 44, 66 includes acorresponding mat portion 50, 52, such as made from a rubber material.Each mat portion 50, 52 is configured to minimize lateral movementbetween the base portion elements 22, 24, 26, 28 and to protect the roof15 from potential damage caused by the base portion elements 22, 24, 26,28.

Each platform 44, 46 also includes a respective base portion securingmechanism 55, 57 having a corresponding holding element 54, 56 andlocking element 58, 60. In one arrangement, each holding element 54, 56is configured to receive a rung of the corresponding base portionelement 26, 28 while each locking element 58, 60 is configured to securethe corresponding rung to the platform 44, 46. For example, each lockingelement 58, 60 can be configured as a spring loaded member that snapsover a rung to secure each corresponding base portion element 26, 28within the holding element 54, 56 and to the ridge spanning device 42.

The connecting element 48 of the ridge spanning device 42 can beconfigured in a variety of geometries. For example, each connectingelement 48 can be configured as having a curved or arched geometryextending from an apex location 62 (e.g., a hinged apex location 62) toplatform connection locations 64, 66. With this geometry, and withreference to FIG. 2, when the base 12 is disposed on the roof 15, thecurved geometry of the connecting element 48 spans the apex 68 of theroof 15 while minimizing contact and damage to the roof in the apexlocation.

Returning to FIG. 1, the set of vertical supports 14 are configured tosecure the platforms 16 to the base 12 and are configured to secure thesupport apparatus 10 to the chimney 17. While any number of verticalsupports 14 can be utilized as part of the support apparatus 10, in onearrangement, the set of vertical supports 14 includes a first set ofvertical supports which includes a first support 70 and a second support72 connected to the first base portion 18 and a second set of verticalsupports which includes a third support 74 and a fourth support 76connected to the second base portion 20 disposed between the base 12 andthe chimney 17. As illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B, each of the first setof vertical supports and the second set of vertical supports extendalong a direction that is substantially parallel to an elongatestructure, such as the chimney 17.

In one arrangement, each of the vertical supports 70, 72, 74, 76 areadjustably connected to the base 12 by a corresponding foot element 78,80, 82, 84 disposed at a first end of the vertical supports 70, 72, 74,76. For example, foot elements 78 and 80 define a first set of footelements that are configured to secure corresponding vertical supports70 and 72 of the first set of vertical supports to the first baseportion 18 and foot elements 82 and 84 define a second set of footelements configured to secure corresponding vertical supports 74 and 76of the second set of vertical supports to the second base portion 20. Asan example, and with reference to FIG. 4, the foot element 78 isdescribed below. Each of the remaining foot elements 80, 82, 84 can havea similar configuration.

In the example shown, the foot element 78 includes a base engagementportion 86 configured to adjustably secure the vertical support 78 tothe base 12. In one arrangement, the base engagement portion 86 includesa first sleeve 88 and a second sleeve 90 configured to capture adjacentrungs 97, 99 on the corresponding base portion element 26. In such anarrangement, when the first and second sleeves 88, 90 engage the rungs97, 99, the base engagement portion 86 secures the interlocking footelement 78 as well as the vertical support 70 to the base 12. Further,the configuration of the first and second sleeves 88, 90 allows a userto adjust a position of the foot element 78 along axis 101 relative tothe base portion element 26 or ladder in order to dispose the verticalsupports about chimneys 17 having differently sized cross-sectionalareas.

In one arrangement, the vertical support 70 couples to the interlockingfoot element 78 via an adjustable mounting support 92. For example, theadjustable mounting support 92 includes a support portion 94 configuredto receive the first end of the vertical support 70. The support portion94 is rotatably coupled to the base engagement portion 86 to allow anassembler to rotatably adjust 96 the position of the vertical support 70relative to the chimney 17. The support portion 94 is also linearlycoupled to the to the base engagement portion 86 to allow an assemblerto linearly adjust 98 the position of the vertical support 70 relativeto the chimney 17.

In one arrangement, the set of vertical supports 14 are configured to beconnected to the support platforms 16 via a set of cross beams 200, asillustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5B. Each cross beam 200 includes a crossbeam body 202 having first and second support fixtures 204, 206 disposedat either end of the cross beam body 202. As best illustrated in FIG.5B, and taking the first support fixture 204 as an example, the firstsupport fixture 204 has a horizontal support surface 208 configured tosupport an end of a first or second primary platform 140, 142 (as shownin FIG. 1). The support fixture 204 also includes a vertical supportcoupling mechanism 210 configured to support, and secure to, acorresponding vertical support of the set of vertical supports 14. Forexample, with reference to FIG. 5B, each vertical support 70, 72, 74, 76can be inserted into an aperture 212 defined by each correspondingsupport fixture 204, 206 and locked into place with a correspondinglocking mechanism 214, such as a pin.

In order to align the cross beams 200 as substantially square with thechimney 17, an assembler can utilize a placement tool system 100 asillustrated in FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 7. In one arrangement, the placementtool system 100 includes a pair of placement tools 102, 104 disposed onopposing sides of the chimney 17 and a pair of interconnection members106, 108 which couple the placement tools 102, 104 to each other.

With collective reference to FIGS. 6A and 6B, and taking placement tool102 as an example, the placement tool 102 includes first and secondclamp members 110, 112 slidably disposed along the length of base member114. In use, an assembler positions padded standoff members 124, 126 ofthe first and second clamp members 110, 112 against the chimney 17. Thestandoff members 124, 126 are configured to support the placement tool102 relative to the chimney 17 and are configured to protect the chimney17 from potential damage caused by the placement tool 102. The assemblerlaterally adjusts the relative positioning of the first and second clampmembers 110, 112 along axis 105 such that associated grasping elements116, 118 capture and generate a lateral, though relatively slight, loadon the chimney 17. In one arrangement, the assembler can utilize a loadadjustment mechanism 119 to adjust (e.g., increase) the lateral loadgenerated by the grasping elements 116, 118 on the chimney 17.

After generating the lateral load, the assembler can connect the firstand second clamp members 110, 112 to the base member 114 usingcorresponding first and second locking assemblies 120, 122 to limit orprevent lateral translation of the first and second clamp members 124,126 relative to the base member 114. The assembler then further squaresthe placement tools 102, 104 using the pair of interconnection members106, 108 as shown in FIG. 6A. With the placement tool system 100substantially square to the chimney, the assembler can place cross beams200 into the holders 121, 123 of the placement tool system 100, asillustrated in FIG. 7.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 8A, the set of support platforms 16 areconfigured to provide workers with a substantially horizontal workingand walking surface relative to the chimney 17. In one arrangement, theset of platforms 16 include first and second primary, or spanner,platforms 140, 142 and first and second secondary, or filler, platforms144, 146. In order to provide the worker with a relatively safe andsturdy walking surface, the opposing first and second ends of adjacentplatforms 140, 142, 144, 146 are configured to connect with each otherand are configured to connect to the set of cross beams 200.

In one arrangement, the set of support platforms 16 are connected to thecross beams 200, via first and second support fixtures 204, 206associated with the cross beams 200. For example, as illustrated in FIG.8B the first spanner platform 140 is secured to the second supportfixture 206 of a cross beam 200 via a locking mechanism 205. While thelocking mechanism 204 can be configured in a variety of ways, in onearrangement the locking mechanism 205 is configured as a pin insertedinto a set of aligned apertures defined by the both the first spannerplatform 140 and the second support fixture 206. With reference to FIG.1, such a locking mechanism 205 can be applied to all four corners ofthe support apparatus 10 to secure the spanner platforms 140, 142 bothto the cross beams 200 and to the vertical supports 14.

In one arrangement, the set of support platforms 16 are further securedto the set of vertical supports 14 with corner brackets 150 asillustrated in FIG. 8A. For example, the corner brackets 150 can beconfigured as angled supports that extend between the first and secondfiller platforms 144, 146 and the corresponding first, second, third,and fourth supports 70, 72, 74, 76 and between the first and secondprimary platforms 140, 142 and the corresponding first, second, third,and fourth supports 70, 72, 74, 76, as indicated in FIG. 1.

In one arrangement, each end of the spanner platforms 140, 142 and eachend of the corresponding filler platforms 144, 146 are configured with alocking system to secure abutting platforms together. For example, FIGS.9A-9C illustrate a locking system 250 divided between a first end of thespanner platform 140 and an opposing second end of the filler platform144. In the example illustrated, the locking system 250 includes a latchelement 252 hingedly coupled to the spanner platform 140 and one or morereceptacle elements 254 defined by the filler platform 144. The spannerplatform 140 further defines an opening or groove 256 configured toreceive the receptacle elements. The filler platform 144 include a base258 configured to support the end of the spanner platform 140.

In use, an assembler aligns the opposing ends of the platforms 140, 144and rotates the latch 252 about hinge 260 and along direction 261, suchas by pulling on handle 262. With such positioning of the latch 252, theassembler moves the filler platform 144 toward the spanner platform 140along direction 264 to insert the receptacle elements 254 into thegroove 256 and such that the base 258 supports the end of the spannerplatform 140. The assembler then releases the latch 252 such that anengagement portion 266 enters an opening 268 defined by the receptacleelements 254. This engagement locks the platforms 140, 144 together, asshown in FIG. 9C. When performed for both pairs of spanner platforms140, 142 and filler platforms 144, 146, the platforms are lockedtogether which provides a relatively secure walking surface. Further,with reference to FIG. 1, the locking process maintains the walkingsurfaces of the platforms 140, 142, 144, 146 substantially within thesame plane, which minimizes the risk of a worker tripping.

The support apparatus 10 is configured to provide a substantially safeand solid walking surface for a user. For example, because the base 12extends substantially along the length of both sides of the roofsurface, the base 12 is configured to distribute the weight of thesupport apparatus and the workers along a relatively large surface areaof the pitched roof surfaces. Accordingly, the configuration of the base12 effectively secures the base 12 to the pitched roof surface withoutrelying on external fasteners, thereby minimizing damage to the roof.Additionally, with the vertical supports 70, 72, 74, 76 secured betweenthe base 12 and the platforms 140, 142, 144, 146, and with the platforms140, 142, 144, 146 secured to each other, the support apparatus providesa substantially stable, horizontal walking surface for the constructionworkers during chimney construction or repair. This configurationminimizes the risk of injury to the worker and allows the worker tosafely handle their tools during the construction or repair, therebyminimizing the risk of damage to the structure or injury to workers onthe ground as caused by dropped tools.

In one arrangement, the support apparatus 10 forms part of a supportapparatus system 200. FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate the assembly of thesupport apparatus in conjunction with the support apparatus system.

Initially, as shown in FIG. 2B, the support apparatus system 200 startsat the ground level with a leveling platform 300 disposed at the landingarea. The leveling platform 300 includes a location for the base or feetof the lift ladders to lock onto. As shown, an assembler can secure alift landing pad 302 to the leveling platform 300 to extend the platform300.

Next, an assembler secures a set of lift ladders 304 to the lockinglocation of the leveling platform 300. In one arrangement, asillustrated in FIG. 10, each lift ladder 304-1, 304-2 can include astand-off device 306 attached near a top end of the lift ladder 304-1,304-2 to hold the lift ladder 304-1, 304-2 away from the gutters androof edge. The stand-off device is positionable between a retractedposition, as shown in FIG. 10 and an extended position (not shown).

Returning to FIG. 2B, the assembler can pin a lift frame 308 between thepair of lift ladders 304-1, 304-2. For example, the assembler locks thelift frame 308 to the lift ladders 304-1, 304-2 by disposing a set ofrods through the rungs of the lift ladders. In one arrangement, lockchain rods (not shown) with lock chains slide through the rungs of theladders just under the eve and fasten together to lock the lift frame tothe house. In one arrangement, the assembler can install a boom arm andpulley 310 to the lift frame. In one arrangement, the boom arm andpulley 310 extend above the landing platform. While not shown, theassembler can install a heavy duty canvas tarp between the lift ladders304-1, 304-2 from top to bottom to create a safety chute to protect thesiding or windows behind it from any debris that may fall from the roof.

The assembler can install a landing platform 312, such as placed on theroof above the eve. The landing platform 312 extends across a portion ofthe roof 30 in a substantially level manner (e.g., perpendicular to ahorizontal reference), which allows the platform to receive equipment.

Next, the assembler disposes at least one egress ladder 314 on the roof.In one arrangement, multiple egress ladders can be disposed about thechimney and connected together using pipes placed through the rungs ofthe ladders to allow the assembler to walk around the chimney.

Next, the assembler places ridge spanning device 42 on both sides of thechimney 17. The assembler then locks base portion elements 12, such as8′ sections of ladders, to the ridge spanning devices 42. Next, theassembler clamps placement tools 102, 104 (e.g., the chimney clampsystem) to the sides of the chimney. As indicated in FIG. 7, theassembler utilizes the placement tools 102, 104 to hold a set of crossbeams 200 substantially square to the chimney 17. As indicated above,the cross beams 200 are configured to connect to the vertical supportsand to the set of platforms. As indicated in FIG. 4 adjustable base feetelements 78 are locked to the spanner ladders and aligned to acceptcorresponding vertical supports 70, 72, 74, 76 (e.g., staging poles).The assembler aligns the cross beams 200 above the base feet elements 78and slides a vertical support 70, 72, 74, 76 through the beam 200 to thecorresponding adjustable base feet elements 78. The assembler can thenadjust all four vertical supports 70, 72, 74, 76 to be square with thechimney 17. In one arrangement, the vertical supports 70, 72, 74, 76define holes every 1″ top to bottom for locking the cross beams 200 inplace about an inch above the placement tools.

Next, the assembler locks the first and second primary platforms and thefirst and second locking platforms to each other to create asubstantially square and level work platform around the four sides ofthe chimney. The assembler then lock corner braces 15 between theplatforms and the vertical supports, as indicated in FIG. 8A. With thecorner braces 150 in place, the support apparatus 200 can securelysupport a user's weight.

As indicated in FIG. 2B, an assembler can attach additional verticalsupports to the support apparatus to accept additional hardware, such asa work table 320 and a safety railing 322 to surround the work area. Thesafety railing 322 can also be utilized as an attachment location forsafety nets which can extend under the work area to catch anythingdropped (e.g., tools, roof debris, bricks, etc.). Also, the assemblercan wrap a small chain around the chimney 17 below a damaged area to berepaired and can hang heavy duty rubble bags around the perimeter tocatch any heavy pieces of brick or mortar that might fall.

While various embodiments of the innovation have been particularly shownand described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art thatvarious changes in form and details may be made therein withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the innovation as defined by theappended claims.

For example, the above description relates to the support apparatus 10as being used with an elongate structure, such as a chimney 17. Suchdescription is by way of example only. In one arrangement, the supportapparatus 10 can be utilized with a variety of structures, includingtowers and steeples.

As indicated above, the support apparatus is shown as being utilizedwith a centrally-located chimney (i.e., central relative to the apex ofa pitched roof). Such indication is by way of example only. In onearrangement, the support apparatus can be utilized with an offsetchimney (i.e., offset from the apex of the pitched roof), as illustratedin FIG. 11. In one arrangement, the support apparatus can also beutilized with an end mounted chimney (not shown).

1. A support apparatus, comprising: a first base portion having a firstbase portion element configured to be disposed on a first roof portionand a second base portion element configured to be disposed on a secondroof portion; a second base portion having a first base portion elementconfigured to be disposed on the first roof portion and a second baseportion element configured to be disposed on the second roof portion; afirst set of vertical supports connected to the first base portion and asecond set of vertical supports connected to the second base portion,each of the first set of vertical supports and the second set ofvertical supports extending along a direction that is substantiallyparallel to an elongate structure; and a set of platforms connected tothe first set of vertical supports and to the second set of verticalsupports, the set of platforms configured to at least partially surroundthe elongate structure, and each platform of the set of platformsconnected to an adjacent platform of the set of platforms.
 2. Thesupport apparatus of claim 1, wherein the set of platforms comprises afirst platform, a second platform, a third platform, and a fourthplatform; a first end of the first platform connected to a second end ofthe second platform; a first end of the second platform connected to asecond end of the third platform; a first end of the third platformconnected to a second end of the fourth platform; and a first end of thefourth platform connected to a second end of the first platform.
 3. Thesupport apparatus of claim 1, wherein the set of platforms comprises afirst platform, a second platform, and a third platform; a first end ofthe first platform connected to a second end of the second platform; anda first end of the second platform connected to a second end of thethird platform.
 4. The support apparatus of claim 1, wherein at leastone of the first base portion and the second base portion comprises aridge spanning device, the ridge spanning device having: a firstplatform connected to the first base portion element; a second platformconnected to the second base portion element; and at least oneconnecting element connecting the first platform and the secondplatform, the at least one connecting element configured to span a roofapex.
 5. The support apparatus of claim 4, wherein the at least oneconnecting element comprises a first hinged connecting element and asecond hinged connecting element, each of the first hinged connectingelement and the second hinged connecting element defining an archedgeometry extending from an apex location a first platform connectionlocation associated with the first platform and a second platformconnection location associated with the second platform.
 6. The supportapparatus of claim 4, wherein the ridge spanning device comprises atleast one securing mechanism configured to connect at least one of thefirst base portion element and the second base portion element to theridge spanning device.
 7. The support apparatus of claim 1, comprising afirst set of foot elements connected to the first base portion and asecond set of foot elements connected to the second base portion, eachfoot element of the first set of foot elements configured to securecorresponding vertical supports of the first set of vertical supports tothe first base portion and each foot element of the second set of footelements configured to secure corresponding vertical supports of thesecond set of vertical supports to the second base portion.
 8. Thesupport apparatus of claim 7, wherein: each foot element of the firstset of foot elements comprises a base engagement portion configured toadjustably secure the corresponding vertical element to the base; andeach foot element of the second set of foot elements comprises a baseengagement portion configured to adjustably secure the correspondingvertical element to the base.
 9. The support apparatus of claim 1,further comprising a locking system configured to couple a first end ofa first platform with a second end of a second, adjacently disposedplatform.
 10. The support apparatus of claim 9, wherein the lockingsystem comprises: a latch element hingedly coupled to the first end ofthe first platform and a first opening defined by the first end of thefirst platform; and a receptacle element disposed at the second end ofthe second platform, the receptacle element configured to be disposedwithin the opening defined by the first end of the first platform andthe receptacle element defining an opening configured to receive anengagement portion of the latch element.
 11. The support apparatus ofclaim 1, further comprising: a first cross beam connected to a firstvertical support of the first set of vertical supports and connected toa first vertical support of the second set of vertical supports; and asecond cross beam connected to a second vertical support of the firstset of vertical supports and connected to a second vertical support ofthe second set of vertical supports; the first cross beam and the secondcross beam configured to connect the set of platforms to the first setof vertical supports and to the second set of vertical supports.
 12. Asupport system, comprising: a support apparatus, comprising: a firstbase portion having a first base portion element configured to bedisposed on a first roof portion and a second base portion elementconfigured to be disposed on a second roof portion, a second baseportion having a first base portion element configured to be disposed onthe first roof portion and a second base portion element configured tobe disposed on the second roof portion, a first set of vertical supportsconfigured to be connected to the first base portion and a second set ofvertical supports configured to be connected to the second base portion,each of the first set of vertical supports and the second set ofvertical supports extending along a direction that is substantiallyparallel to an elongate structure, a set of cross beams, comprising: afirst cross beam configured to be connected to a first vertical supportof the first set of vertical supports and connected to a first verticalsupport of the second set of vertical supports, a second cross beamconfigured to be connected to a second vertical support of the first setof vertical supports and configured to be connected to a second verticalsupport of the second set of vertical supports, and a set of platformsconfigured to be connected to the first set of vertical supports and tothe second set of vertical supports via the set of cross beams, the setof platforms configured to at least partially surround the elongatestructure, and each platform of the set of platforms configured to beconnected to an adjacent platform of the set of platforms; and aplacement tool system configured to align the cross beams assubstantially square with the elongate structure, comprising: a firstplacement tool and a second placement tool configured to be disposed onopposing sides of an elongate structure and configured to support thefirst cross beam and the second cross beam, and a first interconnectionmember and a second interconnection member configured to be disposed onopposing sides of an elongate structure and configured to connect thefirst placement tool and the second placement tool.
 13. The supportsystem of claim 12, wherein at least one of the first base portion andthe second base portion comprises a ridge spanning device, the ridgespanning device having: a first platform configured to be connected tothe first base portion element; a second platform configured to beconnected to the second base portion element; and at least oneconnecting element configured to connect the first platform and thesecond platform, the at least one connecting element configured to spana roof apex.
 14. The support system of claim 13, wherein the at leastone connecting element comprises a first hinged connecting element and asecond hinged connecting element, each of the first hinged connectingelement and the second hinged connecting element defining an archedgeometry extending from an apex location a first platform connectionlocation associated with the first platform and a second platformconnection location associated with the second platform.
 15. The supportsystem of claim 13, wherein the ridge spanning device comprises at leastone securing mechanism configured to connect at least one of the firstbase portion element and the second base portion element to the ridgespanning device.
 16. The support system of claim 12, comprising a firstset of foot elements connected to the first base portion and a secondset of foot elements connected to the second base portion, each footelement of the first set of foot elements configured to securecorresponding vertical supports of the first set of vertical supports tothe first base portion and each foot element of the second set of footelements configured to secure corresponding vertical supports of thesecond set of vertical supports to the second base portion.
 17. Thesupport system of claim 16, wherein: each foot element of the first setof foot elements comprises a base engagement portion configured toadjustably secure the corresponding vertical element to the base; andeach foot element of the second set of foot elements comprises a baseengagement portion configured to adjustably secure the correspondingvertical element to the base.
 18. The support system of claim 12,further comprising a locking system configured to couple a first end ofa first platform with a second end of a second, adjacently disposedplatform.
 19. The support system of claim 18, wherein the locking systemcomprises: a latch element hingedly coupled to the first end of thefirst platform and a first opening defined by the first end of the firstplatform; and a receptacle element disposed at the second end of thesecond platform, the receptacle element configured to be disposed withinthe opening defined by the first end of the first platform and thereceptacle element defining an opening configured to receive anengagement portion of the latch element.